hi @ all

What´s the REAL difference (not only the prize) between these both items?

- B.C.B. Sleeping Bag PYC 4816-281 NSN 8465-99-138-3533

- Corporate Air Parts Land/SHARK Thermal Protective Bag

any further informations available?

thanks
the Molf

Molf,
do you have a link or photo of the thermal protective bag. I've got a BCB one sat in front of me so I'll give it a go.

hi johno,

try this one :

http://www.corpairparts.com/

thanx
molf

I was able to handle the Corpair unit. It is well made and they give good service. We are working within the limits of the space blanket concept. The unit itself is superior as an enclosed bag with the additional layers of reversable orange and desert covers. The small space blankets are a trial to successfully wrap up in and tear easily. The bag concept overcomes these problems and it seemed very durable. They listed the bags ability to conceal the user from various infrared systems. This is well and good for Escape and Evasion. Those same military technologies are finding their way into SAR units. We don't wan't to hide from a helicopter scanning the search area with infrared,do we? Unopened, garanteed shelf life is given at 5 years. If you haven't used space blankets, get a few. Tape them into a bag, find shelter, add insulation, build a fire. Do everything you would in an emergency. Personally, I am slowly saving for my favourite sleeping bag vacume packed at the factory. Now that is expensive <img src="images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />.

That's exactly what I do with 2 MPI thermal blankets. It is near impossible for me to use one to properly bundle up in the cold, but if I tape two blankets together with some handy duct tape, then I can cocoon in the really nasty stuff. I keep the two separate normally because I can use them to make an effective lean-to if need be, depending on the weather conditions and what not. it is nice having options.

One of the basic questions about all items of my PSK are size and weight.
I´m located in Germany/Old Europe and if you don´t want to be called a paranoic freak you have to hide your suspicious equipment.
That´s sad but mostly true ...
Depending on this background I´m permanently searching for good equipment and gear that works mulitpurpose and is easy to hide in usual clothing pockets.
My hope was that the Corpair bag would work as substitute for spaceblankets, sheltertarp and bivybag in one.
Additional the area I´m traveling is highly populated (Germany !), so that the need for IR-detectability seems to me very low.

so long
Molf

I'm also looking for a decent emergency blanket/bag (see this thread) to replace the common space blankets or "Rettungsdecke" that we have here in Germany. <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

So far, I have come up with this:

MPI Extreme Bag and
AMK Thermo-Lite Bivvy Sack

Hope this helps. If you find more, please post.

Joern

[edit] Here is a quick review of the Thermo-Lite Bivvy Sack. It might be a bit bulky though to carry it concealed. The LAND/Shark looks like a good option, but is quite expensive. The Relags Super Sirius is another alternative for a robust, yet lightweight and compact blanket.

Molf
first, apologies for not getting back sooner. Works been a [censored] lately. Now I've seen the land shark I'm hooked. The BCB bag is simply a big heavy guage clear plastic bag. Its saving grace is that its sealed into a pack 100mm x 200mm x 20mm.

Johno

Chris, (and all)
I am in the market for a sleeping bag and noticed their importance in several of your posts:

"... (a) premium sleeping bag will be far more critical than a high end knife..."

"...shelter is almost always my first and primary need... sleeping bag..."

"...I am slowly saving for my favourite sleeping bag..."

Which is your choice/preferences?

What do think about:
1. Wiggy's FTRSS (Mummy or Hunter?)
2. Stephenson's Warmlite Triple Bag

I would also appreciate your thoughts on specific 2 person tents and/or maybe bivy's.

Thanks

Stephenson bags are one of the finest down systems on the market. Wiggys is my personal choice in synthetics. Repeating the oft listed pros and cons, down is the finest insulator, bar none. On the negative side, it takes time to regain loft after compression, rapidly loses insulation with the accumulation of body oils,dirt,sweat and frost buildup and requires carefull cleaning. Down will also lose all insulating value wet. I think this fear is overrated. Unless total immersion in a major accident is possible, just try to soak a down bag. The quality units have very good materials that make washing one a wrestling match. Wiggys bags have drawn considerable debate and some controversy in the outdoor market. I personally have always been satisfied with mine. They are somewhat larger and heavier than other brands and some critique the construction and finish as relatively crude. After living one season inside a traditional canvas cowboy bedroll my unit feels like a feather and fits like a Saville Row suit. I love the ability to toss mine in a washer. Mummy bags can feel claustrophobic versus hunter, or square bags. This is a personal choice really. The standard Wiggy mummy has plenty of room and extra footroom for the odd bits of gear you need to protect or keep warm. I personally don't use bivys. It seems like a lot of effort to essentialy pack a tent without any room. I don't have any favourites in 2 man tents. I've crawled into several styles and brands over the years and they all worked well. I think just about anything that isn't labeled the "Hillary Everest Mountain tent," made in Red China and sold at SEARS will do well ( My mother actually brought this abomination home from her sales job. <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />)